NASN has signed a two-year deal with the AHL from October 2004 through to May 2006.
This season, NASN will be covering at least 80 AHL games including the playoffs and the season closer, The Calder Cup. With live AHL games every week, plus more than 35 NCAA college hockey games, NASN hockey fans will be served up more than 200 hours of on-ice action.
The AHL normally acts as a feeder league for the NHL, with all the teams affiliated with one of the NHL teams. However, because of the current labour strike many of the young NHL pros are heading to the AHL to ply their trade and join the stars of tomorrow. Five of the top seven picks from the 2003 NHL Draft will be playing in the AHL this season and this includes the number one pick, Marc Andre Fleury.
NASN chief operating officer, Amory Schwartz, said: “While the NHL sorts out its labour troubles, we wanted to guarantee our hockey fans the best possible alternative. We couldn’t be happier with the AHL. The AHL is one of the premier hockey leagues and is a showcase for many of tomorrow’s stars.”
In addition to its extensive ice hockey coverage, NASN lays claim to broadcasting more live American sports than any other television channel in Europe.
